Container



J. c. MORRELL June 2, 1942.

` CONTAINER Filed July 28, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lll hl l 'Patented June 2, 11942 UNITE-p STATES' ien-'PENT1- OFFICE-f Jacque C.z Morrell', Oak Park, Ill. f Appucmonruiy 2s. 1941,'serm1No.man;`

scam. (c1. zza-a5) This application is a continuation-impart vof myv application Serial No. 209,949flled VMay 25,

1938. This invention relates to improvements in receptaclesor containers 'and processes of'making the same and refers. particularly to receptacles, containers 'or cans for packaging solids,

stuffs and-perishables generally.

In the general vembodiment; of my invent-ion the process comprises making a container of a synthetic resin or plastic material. In one aspect the container has a lateral' wa1l .with collars preferably of metal embedded in thefthickness of the -said wail and projecting from the opposite ends of the wall and securing the'top and bottom or liquids, or mixtures of the same,` such as foodample maybe mentioned 4'5 percent.v synthetic K` resin, 4,percent hardeningr agent, 1 percent lubrif cant,Olipercent dyeor pigment, 48 percent long liber asbestos.

This, howevenymayvary to a fairly wide degree. These mixtures are molded by meanswell known. to the art into cylindrical of the container to the Vthus .embeddedcollars.V

In another aspect the bottom of the `,container may be'integral with theA embedded collar'and in still another modification the container'is madel up of a synthetic resin or plastic material and mayhave a bottom integral with the walls of the same and made. of the same material as the lateral wall. i

In still another modification of my invention the container or receptacle as well as the top may be made entirely of synthetic resin or plastic material preferably of a thermoplastic char-v acter in which thebottom is integral with the lateral wall of the container and .the top is secured to the body of .the container in one of several ways, e. g. by autogenous `fusing which or other shapes with the metal Vcollars or ends placed in position-and sealed in the wall thickness and with sumcient protrusion from the body to provide attaching means for the metal` tops and bottoms in the conventional manner.

as inV the metal can or container industry.`

' Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 isa sectional elevational view` of my im# prov'ed container. l

' Fig. 2 is a sectional elevational view of another modification of my container.

Fig. 3 is afragmentary sectional elevation of still another modication of the container.

Fig.4 is a sectional elevation of the modi'caf tion of my container which may be made entirely of -plastic material with top takenvalong thev line Fig. 6.

will be more particularly described hereinafter.

In one form of my invention, as stated in the aforementioned parent application Serial No. 209,949, molding may be employed withmixtures f containing synthetic vor other resinsvor plastic materials and llers, preferably of a fibrous character ashereinafter described and may be applied to all shapes and'forms, e. g., thecylinder or body of the container per se may be molded with the metal collars or ends in lplace or pro-V viding annular slots for the same.

y ,y lustratiugy still another form of securing them' `In the same parent application it is further stated that Imay employ molding mixtures containing synthetic or other resinous or plasticmineral matter, etc., preferably employing VinFig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the type of container shown in Fig. 4 with modi` fied top taken alng the line 6-6 of Fig. 7.

Fig-7 is a lplan view of the. modif-led top or cover shown in connection with" the container in Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectionall view showing another method of securing the cover or top to the body of the container. y".

cover to my improved plastic container.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of a plastic container with modified top or cov'er'.

, Referring in detau to the drawings, indicates f a container of the cylindrical type (which may Ibe made by molding or extrusion) havingcylin- 1 l. As a feature vof my invention, the cylindrical lateral walls' 2 of the container I and in general the body of the.

drical walls 2, top l and bottom container, may be made of a mixture of syn- .thetic resinous or generally plastic-materials and fibrous materials such as paper fibers or pulp,

cotton, jute, ramie, hemp and other natural fibers,A artificial fibers such as rayon, Vmineral fibers such as asbestos and fibrous materials generally in admixture with the various plastic or' resinous materials already mentioned, the-preparations-of .fibrous and resinous materials being somewhat conventionaLe. g., as one typical ex-f a filler preferably of afibrous character or in a non-equivalent modification of a thermoplastic synthetic resin without a flller.` In the latter case 'the' body of the container may be made by injection molding. Preferably, where thefiller., is employed a thermosetting syntheticl resin employed although the thermoplastic synthetic resin or plastic may also be employed' with a vfiller. The top 3 and bottom 4 are preferably constructed of metal and are secured for example by crimping 5 onto cylindrical collars 6 which are embeddedin the thickness of the walls 2. said collars projectingfrom the ends of .the cylinder sufficiently to permit securement of the top and bottom.

Referring to Fig. 2, 'l is a container of the cyllndrical type (which may be made bymolding) with lateral walls 8 made of a synthetic resin integral with bottom 8 made of the same material. as the walls 8 ofthe container. Preferably when a filler is employed, and a thermoplastic synthetic resin or plastic material when the illler i is not employed (in which case' injection molding may be employed to form the'body of the container) although the filler may be used with the thermoplastic synthetic resins or plastic if desired.' The to'p 8 is preferably constructed of metal and is secured as by crimping 6' onto cylindrical metal collars 6' which are embedded in the thickness of the wall 1, said collars projecting from the ends of the cylinder sufficiently to permit securement of the top and bottom.

l Fig. 3 shows a modification of my container similar to Fig. 1 wherein the container l' has lateral walls made of a synthetic resinous or plastic material as described but in which the bottom I' is integral with the collar 6', the latter being made lup of metal. The top of this container may be secured to a metal collar embedded in the walls of the same as is illustrated in connection with Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the container I0 is Amade up preferably of a thermoplastic material such' as a synthetic resinscontalning a vinyl group or' a cellulose derivative, the. two. groups being non-equivalent. The walls Il of the container I0 are integral with the bottom Vi2 of the container and may be made of the same material by molding. the thermoplastic materials prefer-1 the container is made of a thermosetting resin crown cap remover or other suitable device. 'This projection -may be reinforced in metal. Fig. 8

illustrates another container 20 the walls 2| of plastic material such as a synthetic resin or a`` cellulose derivative (which materials are not equivalent) with walls 26 which may be integral with the bottom, not shown, and is likewise equipped with an integral flange 21 upon which may be fitted a top 28 which lies flat upon the flange 21 and may be secured thereto by .autogenously sealing the thermoplastic materials of ablyby the, process known as injection molding.

As a vspecial feature the top part of the body of the container is shaped to form a flange I3 which may be beveled on the inside at Il to conform to the top of the container. The top or cover I5 of the container shownl in Fig. 4 is taken along theline 4-4 of- Fig. 5 and has a companion flange I8 to conform to flange I3 on the body of the container and likewise a beveled surface il to conform to the beveled surface il. 'I'he top I8 is depressed or otherwise shaped so that it fits part way inside the container. 4The top of .the container is secured to the body of the container preferably by autogenously fusing or sealing the flanged members of the same by means ofheat or by a solvent and heat although a suitable adhesive which is non-equivalent may bey employed. l

` Fig. 6 is a modification of Fig. 4 wherein the container l0 with walls Il, flanges I3 and-beveled portions -I4 are similar to the corresponding parts of Fig. 4 and wherein the bottom not shown may be integral with the container. The top i5' of the container in Fig. 6 which is a section taken along the line 6 6 of Fig. 'I likewise has corresponding parts to the top Il of the container l0 shown in Fig. 4, namely, ilangel', beveled surfaces ll' and depressed or shaped top I8'. The Y new feature in Figs. 6 and 'lwhen compared with Figs. 4 and 5 is the projection i9 lof the flange i6'. 'the purpose of which is to facilitate removal of theltop or lid by forcingthe same up, using a l suitable instrument such as a can opener key,

which the container is formed along the line and surface yof contact by the use of heat and/or with a solvent. Fig. 10 shows a container 25 similar to that shown in Fig. 9 with walls 26 land integral bottom not shown and with flanges 21. This container may be sealedby the use of a metal cover 29 with rubber sealing rings or gaskets 30.

The metal bottom integral with collar shown in Fig. 3 may'obviously be used although-not preferably in the form shown in Figs..4, 6, 8. 9 and l0.

It is also to be understood that the methods of sealing'or fusing the tops on the containers shown in Figs. 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10 may 3180426 used for sealing or fusing the bottoms on by making the top and bottom portions of the bodye'cf the container alike, e.g., fianging as shown in Figs. 4, 8 and 9. This will permit the use oftubular sections which may b'e made by extrusion' instead of molding.

One of the. characteristics of the forms of conl tainers shown in Figs. 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10 is that the surface of contact between the top of the body of the container and the top is greater in width than the thickness of the lateral walls.

As a further development of detail to assist in securing the metal ends'or collars in the walls of the container the portions of the metal ends which are embedded in the walls of the synthetic resin or plastic cylinder or body of the con er 'may be perforated 4with smooth or with ter)- like holes orthe surfaces roughened to promote adhesion and cohesion and to facilitate fastening and sealing the metal ends with the body ofthe container.

Referring to the collars, which are preferably of metal, e. g., the usual tin plate or coated with some other protective material, they may beof a'. single piece, or joined by a crimped, curled, or

plain lap seam, and soldered before or after placing in position or embedding in thewalls of the container and the protruding ends may likewise be crimped or curledto permit attachment of thetops and bottoms in the conventionalA manner as employed in themetal can or container industry employing a rubber composition or other sealing material. It may be desirable in some cases to crimp the protruding ends after the collars have been embedded in the walls of Also in some cases the bottom the container. may be integral with the collar. In the methods described the. protruding ends of the metal collars are preferably crimped or curled in such man use of 4manner employed in the metal container o r can industry. i

Thesemetal collars or ends may also be adapted to be opened like the usual self opening cans' which have a relatively narrow strip' integral with the metal collar o'r cylindrical portion.

or sides of the can at a pointA beneath the top or lid.,` In this case the strip would extend sufficiently outv of the wall of the laminated body of the container to permit an outlining of Vthe strip along its edges by lines which cut the surface of the metal and weaken the same so that thestrip .may be torn or sheared therefrom thus opening the can by removing the top and upper portion of the cylindricalv lside wall. The top lid in this case may be depressed to eliminate the otherwise vacant space in theccntainer. Other alternatives of this idea maybe employed such as a separate cylindrical piece or collar rolled into a bead provided in the side-of the can, beneath `the tearing strip, which extends to the lid' or` top that it may be adapted to this new form of can l or container.

The tops in Figs. 4 to V10 may be removed from the containers by forcing the same off'such as has` been described in connection with Figs. 6 and '74 or by outlining a section which may weaken it and permit it to be cut away or in any approved manner.A

The thermosetting synthetic resins used herein described are those ofthe phenol formalde-` hyde, (including also cresols, xylenols, etc.), or urea-aldehyde types, which form infusible and insoluble resins on heat treatment. These are preferred when fillers are employed'. They are converted into the infusible, insoluble types, and are quite resistant to temperatures required for treating packaged food materials'to prevent spoilage suchas in the canning of fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, etc. `The thermoplastic types of synthetic resins and plastics may, however, b'e and are preferably employed when llers are not used although it is to be understood `that they may also be'used with llers. x

Among the thermoplastic synthetic resins are the alkyd resins (glyptals made from polybasic acids such as phthalic and maleic acids and polyhydric alcohol, such'as glycerols, glycols, etc.),

styrene resins, e. g. the polystyrene types, acrylic or acrylate resins, e. g. methacrylate, thevinyl `or vinylite polymer which may include acetate, i halides, poly-vinyl alcohols plus aldehydes, etc.

cellulose acetate and cellulose nitratetypes,

mixed esters such as cellulose acetate-butyrate,

ethyl cellulose and similar materials.

Various rubber or rubber like compositions maybe 'used although not equivalent to the other plastics ini cluding synthetic rubbers, duprene, neoprene, thiokol, chlorinated rubber, and the like.' The i ythetic resins either of the thermosetting and thermcplastic types, the `latter including synthetic resins andthe cellulose derivatives.` must preferably be vulcanized.

VIn general the preferred resin or plastics to` be employed where fillers are not used and especially in connection with the forms of my invention shown in Figs. 4 to 10 inclusive (although they may also beused in connection with the modications shown in Figs. 1 and 2) are the thermoplastic synthetic resins e. g. such as the vinyl typesincluding polystyrenes.` 'I'he vinyl including the polystyrene types are most preferred because they have high temperature softening points and are clear and colorless. (The vinyl or vinylite polymers may include acetate, halides, polyvinyl alcohols plus aldehydes, etc.) Other types of thermoplastic synthetic resinsmay however be employed, among which are the alkyd resins sometimes referred to as glyptals, which are `made from polybasic acids such as phthalic and maleic acids and polyhidric alcohol, such as glycerol, glycols, etc., the acrylic ar acrylate resins,

e. g. methacrylate. These types of resins in general have been classified under the heading of thermoplastic synthetic resins as distinguished from cellulose derivatives and natural resins. The thermosetting resins set or cure von the application of heat and dol not soften appreciably when reheating, However, I may also employ nonequivalently as pointed out, some of the thermosetting resins, e. g. of the phenol-aldehyde or urea -aldehyde types, especially when employing pliers. A regrouping of the above types of thermoplastic synthetic resins might be shown as (a) styrenes, (b) vinyl resins, (c) alkyds, (d) acrylates. The polystyrenes are colorless, odorless,

and tasteless7 and are soluble in esters and chlorinated hydrocarbons and are compatible with such plasticizers as dibutyl and homologous phthalates and tricresyl and homologous phosphates. The vinyl resin `plastics include, as stated, the polymers of the acetates and esters generally, others, halides, polyvinyl alcohols,

radical, and in one sense therefore the three types belong to one large family, which may be referred to as the vinyl thermoplastic syntheticy resins and may also include divinyl types, and serves to'define the entire group.

The acrylates are produced by the polymerization'of the monomeric derivatives of acrylic and methacrylic acids, esters, acrolein, aconitic Vacids and similar substances. which have good properties similarto the other 'I he acrylates,

two groups, are notable lbecause of their light transmission properties. thermoplastic synthetic resins are resistant1 to heat and water as well as generally to acids and The alkyd resins, which are produced from polybasic acids, such as stated above, phthalic and polyhydric alcohols; such as glycerol land which are also importantfrom the viewpoint of thermoplastic synthetic resins, have been vreferred to above. l

A recently developed type of thermoplastic synthetic resin which it is contemplated employing inccnnection with the present invention and which may be considered a vinyl derivative and Also, they f In general the vinyl in the vinyl group is the polymerize'd vinylidene chloride resin, i. e., polymers ci vinylidene chic ride or copolymers for example with vinyl chloride or similar compounds. These resins are to acids and alkalis and generally to solvents, vbeing soluble generally speaking only in the more active .oxygen-containing organic solvents such as the oxides and ethers. Other types of thermoplastic syntheticresins may also be'employe'd. Although not equivalent to the thermoplastic synthetic resins other plastic materials may in some cases be incorporated there-- with in relatively minor amounts, e. g. natural rubbers, synthetic rubbers and other natural and synthetic plastics.

The solvents which may be employed with these materials when sealing the tops comprise generally the alcohols, others, lretories, aldehydes, esters or mixtures, in general relatively low boiling; also various hydrocarbons and derivatives. Among the solvcntsmay be mentioned low boiling esters such as ethyl acetate, high boiling esters such as butyl and amyl acetates and propionates, ethyl and butyl lactates, trade solvents such as the cello-solves and carbitols,

aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylenes,l solvent naphtha, petroleum naphthas,

alcohols from methyl to amyl and mixtures of these as well as others. The solvents are selected to suit the particular resin being sealed.

Resins with accompanying plasticizers such as escaneo i the use and, definition of what E refer to as the thermoplastic synthetic` resins comprising in general the'vinyl group as the preferred members, e. g. polystyrene, polymerized vinyl esters and the like-and acrylic resins and the almd resins and similar types as broadly deilned above and in general which are substantially oi a noncellulose type on the one hand and the use of plastics 'made from 'cellulose or thereof on the other. These cellulose derivative thermoplastics, however, may be employed in connection with my invention.' 1

lilhave already referred to the types. of iillers which n iay be employed including various vegetable brous materials such as wood flour, cotton, etc. mineral bers 'suchas asbestos and mineral .matter generally such as diatomaceous earth'and the like.

n is anoto be understood that r may usejverious coloring materials in connection with the various synthetic resins or plastics and these may be selected in accordance with well known practice ior the selection of coloring materials which are compatible withl various plastics. Also in connection with the use of solvents where these are employed with the thermoplastic synthetic resins to autogenously seal the tops into the body of the container, selections of solvents will be made in accordance with the resins employed,

Vfor example, the vinyl chloride resins lare soluble in ketones and' esters. The methacrylate tricresyl and homologous phthalates and dbutyl and homologous phthalates and the like may be employed for sealing the top. Other plasticlzers, e. g., derivatives of glyceroland of dibasic and fatty acids, and a large group of substances,

may beused to soften and otherwise change the propertiesof the Athermoplastic synthetic resins referred to and employed herein especially at the surfaces to be sealed. 0n the other hand, if desired, although not necessary, I may employ minor proportions of thermosetting resins and other suitable plastic materials to harden and raise the softeningn point of the thermoplastic synthetic resins employed by me. Mixtures of the latter among themselves may also be employed.

resins are soluble in ketones, esters and aromatic hydrocarbons and the styrene resins are soluble in Varomatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons. Small amounts of these solvents will permit cohesion of the top to the body of the container.

Several methods of forming have already been referred to and in general the methods employed are compression molding, injection molding and extrusion. These in general may be referred to as forming by compression. Where the metal collars are used they may be placed in the mold and sealed into the walls of the container during the molding operation. With thermoplastic-'synthetic resins and thermoplastic materials generally, such forms as are shown in Figs. 4 to 10 inclusive may be made by injection molding The thermoplastic synthetic resins are distinguished from the thermosetting types usually in g being-better in appearance, clearer, and in most cases colorless, and being more readily applied as well as having other desirable properties in connection with the present invention compared with the thermosetting types. The thermoplastic synthetic resin has the property Yof.

property in connection with my invention of being water' resistant in character as well as being resistant to the action of acids or acidic substances. .The cellulose 'derivatives or cellulose plastlcs on the .other hand are permeable to water in thin films and are destroyed or acted on by acids. It is therefore clear that there is a sharp line of demarcation and distinction inl which is well known in the art of molding to permit a number of articles to be made at one time and this may be adapted to production in connection with my invention. Tubular forms of' thermoplastic material may be made by extru-l sion and later flanged on both ends to permit attachments of top and bottom as shown by the top in Fig. 8. 1

While I have. described a number of modifications and forms of my inventionv it is to be under- Astood that the specific' examples in respect of Vmaterials and details ofprocess are given for ing said top and bottom upon the free end of said,

illustrative purposes only and that many ,nonequivalent combinations may be employed within the broad spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A container having a lateral wall, a mtal top and a bottom comprising the end closures of said container, said wall consisting substantially wholly of a plastic material the opposite ends of said wall having a metal collar embedded therein and projecting therefrom, said top and bottom being secured to said respective collars by crimpcollars, said4 crimped portion being positioned wholly beyond the adjacent end of the well in non-embracing relation with respect'to said wall, the plastic material in said -wall functioning` to derivatives seal said collars in said wan and said collars being held to said wall substantially solely by the em- `bedded ends of the said collars.

2. A container having a lateral wall, .a metal top and a bottom comprising the end closures of said container,` said wall consisting substantially wholly of a plastic material, the opposite ends of said walls having a metal collar embedded there` in and projecting therefrom, one closure being secured to one of said collars by crimping the same upon the free end of said collar, said crimped portion being positioned wholly beyond the adjacent end of thewall in non-embracing relation Vwith respect to said wall and the opposite c1o` sure being formed integral with the collar embedded in the opposite end of said wall, the plastic in said wall functioning to seal said collars in said wall and said collars being held to said walls substantially/'solely byl theY embedded ends of the said collars.

3. A container formed of plastic material having lateral walls and one. end closure integral therewith, the opposite end of said container having a metal collar embedded within the wall and 4 the said collar. I

JACQUE C. MORRELL. 

